Making Hostess Gifts--Napkins with a Mitered Corner

After over a year of postponed celebrations and parties, we are finally reconnecting with friends and loved ones in person--the perfect opportunity for some handcrafted hostess gifts!  Let's make some beautiful napkins that easy to make and are sure to please.

Supplies:

  • 4 16.5" x 16.5" squares of fabric.  Get creative!  You can use cotton or linen. If you've got coordinating cotton prints--how cute would that be?  Or cut four pieces from one fabric.
  • coordinating thread
  • scissors
  • pins or Clever Clips
  • iron & wool pressing mat
  • 1/4" foot

Instructions:

Napkins have a finished size any size from 16" x 16" to 20" x 20"--so cut the size that works best with your fabric.  I chose to go with a finished 16" x 16" square.  Also, 90% of making napkins is actually folding and pressing--don't get discouraged!  Just make sure your iron is super hot, and having a wool pressing mat certainly helps.

1. Miter the corners.  I just learned an easier way to miter corners that involves less fiddling.  Measure in 1/2" diagonally from the corner.  Trim.  Repeat for all sides. Turn the trimmed edge in 1/4" and press.  

2. Create the napkin hem--fold the long edges of the napkins in 1/4", press, and fold again another 1/4" and press.  The pressed edges from the sides should meet at the corners without a gap--pin this in place.

3. Attach your 1/4" foot to your sewing machine.  Sew at 1/4" seam allowance around the perimeter of the napkin.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other three napkins.

Voila!  You've got a lovely hostess gift!

 

 

 

 

 

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